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Brexit talks continuing, but 'not there yet'

European Council president Donald Tusk has raised hopes of a breakthrough in Brexit border negotiations, but Downing Street says "we're not there yet".

A spokeswoman for Mr Tusk confirmed he would make a statement at 7.50am Brussels time (6.50am UK time) but would not give any further details.

Prime Minister Theresa May had hoped to make a new proposal on the Irish border by Friday.

It would have to satisfy both the Dublin administration and the DUP, which props up her Government.

On monday, the DUP effectively vetoed an agreement between the Westminster government and the EU on the border, designed to allow talks to progress onto issues of trade and transition.

The party objected to plans for "regulatory alignment" between Northern Ireland and the Republic to maintain a soft border between the two, arguing it would amount to the drawing of a new frontier with the UK mainland in the Irish Sea.

The Prime Minister is under intense pressure to get leaders at the December 14 European Council summit to declare "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues so trade talks can begin.

On Thursday evening, an Irish Government spokesman said, "Matters are being considered as part of ongoing discussions involving the (EU negotiating) Task Force, the Irish Government and the British Government."

But he did not specifically confirm whether or not a new form of text had been tabled by UK negotiators.

DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said, "Discussions are ongoing."

European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker has had telephone conversations with both Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar, and Mrs May, his chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas said.

He said an early morning meeting was "possible".

"We are making progress but not yet fully there. Talks are continuing throughout the night," he tweeted.